A major security breach and suspected act of theft has surfaced at the historical Government College for Women, Chand Bibi Road, where a heavy iron grill worth millions of rupees was allegedly cut and sold to a scrap dealer.
College Principal Professor Fakhr-un-Nisa confirmed that a junior clerk, identified as Manzoor Ali Unnar, had the grill cut on April 28 without her consent. “The grill, part of the college’s historical structure, was removed and sold for approximately Rs1.3 million after a scrap dealer was called in,” she said.
The matter came to light when the dismantled grill was being loaded onto a truck. Authorities intervened in time, halting the vehicle and unloading the material on the spot. The principal stated that the clerk has been suspended, and the incident has been reported to the secretary colleges for further action. She added that the scrap dealer involved is willing to record his statement as part of the inquiry.
Professor Fakhr-un-Nisa also suggested a possible conspiracy behind the incident, alleging that members of the All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA) could be involved. “This appears to be retaliation after I stopped their unofficial demands and refused to allocate a separate examination room,” she claimed.
The college building holds significant historical importance, having housed the early operations of the University of Karachi when it was established in June 1951. The university later moved to its present campus in 1956, after which the premises were converted into a women’s college.
Authorities are expected to initiate a formal investigation into the incident, which has raised concerns over the protection of heritage structures and administrative oversight in public educational institutions.
